Fence Wire Fastener

ABSTRACT

A fastener to secure fence wire to wood fence posts, comprising an arcuate, multi-prong member, the member having an opening at essentially the mid point thereof, for receiving therethrough a screw, or other securing device, for puncturing the wood fence post, and thereby securing fence wire being held by the multi-prong member. Typically, the arcuate member has three prongs, preferably having a Y-shape.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/970,341, filed Oct. 21, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to fasteners used for securing fence wire to wood posts.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener for securing fence wire to a wood post, using a securing device therewith that will not split the post.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastener for securing fence wire to a wood post, where it is unnecessary to drive the securing device, which secures the fastener to the post, by using a hammer or other driving device.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a fastener for securing fence wire to a wood post, where the securing device is a screw, passing through the fastener and into the wood post, thereby securely holding a fence wire to the post, without splitting the post, and without the necessity of using a hammer.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fastener made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the fastener of FIG. 1, secured to a wood post securing a strand of fence wire thereto.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fastener, of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A fastener 10 made in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1. The fastener comprises an arcuate member, having a plurality of prongs 12 a, 12 b and 13. The prongs are used for securing a strand of fence wire to a wood post, and for gripping the post in a secure manner. Preferably, the ends of the prongs 12 a, 12 b and 13 are shaped in a manner to allow them to penetrate the outer surface of the wood post.

There is no preferred angle for the prong arc, and a person skilled in the art can understand that the only requirement is the ability to penetrate a wood post, and securely retain a strand of wire. The angle may be as small as 45 degrees and up to 170 degrees. The length of the prongs does not appear to be a critical feature. In practice, lengths of about one-quarter inch up to about one inch would be satisfactory. Preferrably, the length of the prongs can be from about one-half inch up to about three-quarters of an inch. However, any length would be acceptable, so long as the prongs served the purpose of penetrating the wood post, while securing the fence wire strand.

The fastener 10 also has an opening 16, positioned in an essentially central location, as shown in FIG. 1, through which is passed a securing device 14, such as a screw member. The preferred embodiment of the fastener 10 would include a screw 14 having a hexagonal head, for easier driving into a post using a mechanical driving tool, such as a drill (not shown). In practice, the opening may be placed in a variety of locations in the fastener, to accommodate various shapes and sizes of the fastener. In addition, a different opening location may be desired in order to increase or decrease the gripping force applied to a fence wire, when using a particular shaped fastener.

In parts of the United States, cedar posts are abundant, and are the preferred fence post, due to their long life and resistance to most insects. When fencing nails are used on cedar posts, they have a tendency to split. It has been found that the wood screws used with the present invention avoid the problem of splitting.

In FIG. 2, there is illustrated a strand of “barbed” wire 20 affixed to a wood post 18, using a fastener 22, secured to the post using a screw, having a hexagonal-shaped head. In practice, there would be multiple strands of wire secured to each fence post.

In FIG. 3, there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention, there is a fastener 24 having multiple prongs 26, 28, 30 and 32. As with the embodiment 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the fastener 24 would have the prongs shaped in a generally arcuate configuration, to secure the fence wire to the post, and also grip the wood surface of the post when secured thereto by a securing device, as discussed above. An alternate configuration could include relatively straight prongs, which curve downwardly at their respective ends, to provide a configuration that would grip the surface of the post, as well as hold the fence wire thereto. It is intended that such configurations be included within the meaning of “arcuate.” Preferably, the fasteners of the present invention are metal. They can be stamped or cut from a sheet of metal, or can be extruded into the desired shape by known methods of metal shaping and extrusion.

The screw securing devices 14 are readily available in most hardware stores and home repair stores. An embodiment of screw that is acceptable with the present invention is referred to as a “decking” screw, having a Phillips-type or similar head.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims. 

1. A fastener, for securing fence wire to a wood post, having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion therebetween, comprising a plurality of metal arcuate prongs for engaging the elongated portion of the post, having an opening therethrough for receiving a screw-type securing member.
 2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein there are three arcuate prongs.
 3. The fastener of claim 1, wherein there are four arcuate prongs.
 4. A fastener, for securing fence wire to a wood post having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion therebetween, comprising at least three metal, arcuate prongs for engaging the elongated portion of the post, having a generally Y-shape, and having generally at the center thereof an opening for receiving therethrough a screw-type securing member, for securing the fastener to the elongated portion of the post.
 5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises at least four metal, arcuate prongs, having a generally X-shape.
 6. A fastener, for securing fence wire to a wood post having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion therebetween, comprising at least three metal arcuate prongs for engaging the elongated portion of the post, having a generally Y-shape, and having an opening therethrough positioned between the ends of the prongs, for receiving a screw-type securing device therethrough, for securing the fastener to the elongated portion of the post.
 7. The fastener of claim 6, having a screw-type device positioned in the opening.
 8. The fastener of claim 1, having a screw-type device positioned in the opening.
 9. The fastener of claim 4, having a decking screw positioned in the opening.
 10. A method of securing fence wire to wood post having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion therebetween, the method comprising: positioning fence wire against the elongated member; positioning a fastener against the fence wire; wherein the fastener comprises a plurality of metal arcuate prongs for engaging the elongated portion of the post, and defines an opening therethrough for receiving the screw-type securing member securing the fastener to the elongated portion with a screw-type securing device to secure the fence wire to the elongated member, wherein at least one prong engages the elongated portion of the post.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises three arcuate prongs.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises four arcuate prongs.
 13. A fence assembly comprising: a wood post having a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion therebetween; fence wire; and, a fastener comprising a plurality of metal arcuate prongs for engaging the elongated portion of the post, and defines an opening therethrough for receiving a screw-type securing member; wherein, the fence wire is secured to the elongated portion of the post by the fastener with at least one prong engaging the elongated portion of the post, that is in turn secured to the elongated portion of the post by a screw-type securing member.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the fastener comprises three arcuate prongs.
 15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the fastener comprises four arcuate prongs. 